fB 



MR. RICHEY CHANGES 
HIS MIND 



-BY- 



LEE OWEN SNOOK 



^= 




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Franklin, Ohio £^^ Denver, Colo. 

944 So. Logan Stra«t 



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Eldridge Entertainment House 

FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 



Mr. Richey Changes 
His Mind 



(In One Act and Tableaux) 



By LEE OWEN SNOOK ^ 



J I jl: 



Oo»]rrl«ht ISSI, Bldrldge Bntsrtalament Hoaae 
PUBLISHED BT 

ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSB 

flANKLDI.OHIO DmVIE, COLO. 

DEC 19 1921 ^ 



,2^36733 

CAST 



Roderick Closefist Richey, owner and general 
manager of the Fair Store. 

Elizabeth Walling 

H, Urry Upp, head of delivery department. 

Mr. Walker, floorwalker. 

Messenger Boy. 

Miss Gregg, stenographer. 

Miss Pitman, stenographer. 

Red Cross Sales Girl. 

Clerks, and supernumeraries ad libitum. 



TABLEAUX 

1. Roderick's mother tells him Christmas stories, 
:2. Roderick hangs up his stocking for Christmas. 

3. Roderick's childhood sweetheart gets his present. 

4. Roderick receives Christmas box from home, 

while he is attending college. 

5. Roderick's solitaire spurned. 
v6. The Kiddies' Christmas. . , . '^ 

TMP96-C06657 
©CI.D 59435 ' (x^ 



Ml Ricliey Cboges His 



But 0119 stage setting is needed. Office desk, type- 
writer stands, filing cases, book cases, or other office fur- 
niture is all that is required. 

Exits may be arranged to suit the convenience of the 
players. 

Tableaux should be shown at rear center, and some- 
what removed from stage proper. A frame should en- 
close these for better effect. Tableaux may be liberally 
remodeled to suit. A thin gauze work hung between tab- 
leau performers and audience will add to the retrospect- 
ive atmosphere of the scenes. Special attention should be 
given to lighting effects so as to contrast Roderick's 
day-dreams with the realities presented previous to the 
tableaux. 

As curtain rises Richey is discovered seated at desk 
(right). Two stenographers are at work at left. Char- 
acters enter and leave left, hut this is not arbitrary. 



(Enter Upp. Approaches desk timidly.) 

TJpp — Pardon me, sir, but may I have a word with 
you? 

Richey — {wheeling around in chair) Well, what is 
it? Make it snappy and to the point. You know I'm 
busy. 

Upp — I appreciate that sir, but there is one request 
that the truck drivers have to make — 

Richey — (interrupting) Request! REQUEST! 
That's all I've heard for a week. Somebody wanting off 
for this or that fool's errand. Somebody wanting a 
raise when he hasn't been earning what he gets already. 

3 



Mr. Rickey Changes His Mind 



Always a request! (Scornfully) But never a sugges- 
tion as to how to improve our sales service, you can be 
sure of that. 

Upp — But, sir, my department has not asked you for 
a favor in months. We have stuck strictly to business, 
and the boys have undergone many hardships without a 
murmur. 

Rickey — Out with it! Out with it! Let's have the 
agony over, but make it snappy. 

Upp — In short, sir, the truck drivers desire to be 
relieved at 6:30 tonight, so that they may make some 
necessary preparations for Christmas. 

Rickey — Just as I thought! "Some necessary prep- 
arations for Christmas!" (Tkis last very scornfully.) 
But they never think MY business is necessary, it seems. 

Upp — But, sir, many of them have families, and the 
kiddies will be expecting their Christmas trees and — 

Rickey — (interrupting) Let 'em expect 'em. It 
won't hurt 'em to expect 'em. This Christmas sentimen- 
tality positively nauseates me. What is there to it but a 
lot of extravagant and senseless giving. 

Upp — But, my dear Mr. Richey, you will surely ad- 
mit that your business success is based on this "extrav- 
agant and senseless giving," as you call it. Now what — 

Richey — (interrupting) Bosh! I lose money on 
Christmas stuff. I actually do. The whole thing's a 
bore from start to finish. I wish the day could be cut 
from the calendar. 

(Enter Messenger Boy. He winks knowingly at the 
stenographer's, makes grimaces behind his hack at Rich- 
ey, and deposits dispatches in rack on table. Before he 
leaves he makes a mock military salute. Stenographers 
laugh and look knowingly at each other. Exit M. B. left 
with hands extended before head in oriental leave taking 
fashion. Very mock-hefoic.) 

Upp — What shall I tell the drivers, Mr. Richey? 



Mr. Rickey Changes His Mind 



Rickey — Just this: Nothin' doin'. Absolutely noth- 
in' doin'. 

Upp — And at what time shall I tell them they are 
at liberty to quit work? 

Rickey — Whenever the last parcel is delivered — not 
sooner, 

Upp — But, sir, that may be midnight. 

Rickey — Tell me something new. There shall be no 
relief drivers tonight. I want my experienced men at the 
wheel until we're through. 

Upp — Very well, sir, I'll tell them what you say. 

(Exit Upp left, hurriedly. Stenographers look 
scornfidly at R., as ke turns to kis desk and writing.) 

(Enter floor-walker.) 

Walker — (to Miss Pitman) Please take this dicta- 
tion for me. I'm in a hurry and I mustn't neglect to send 
this word to Frank. You know he was my old rooQimate 
at Haverhill. You'll see that it's mailed at once won't 
you? 

Miss Pitman — Certainly, Mr. Walker. 

Walker — (dictates) Dear old Pal: I have been 
thinking of you all day, but have been too busy to send 
you a line before now. 

Rickey — (wkeeling around in c/^a^rjr— What's this 
gush? Is this what my stenographers are paid for? At- 
tend to your correspondence on your own time, not mine. 

Walker — Pardon me, sir, but it is very late to send 
any word now, and I have been working so hard all day 
that I thought you wouldn't object if — 

Rickey — But I do object. Business is business. 
Right now you are neglecting your work on the main 
floor. 

Walker — Mr. Green is substituting for me the few 
minutes I'm away, sir. 

Rickey — Green, to be sure! Fine idea! If you prize 
your job, get back to work at once, sir. I'll have no 



Mr. Richey Changes His Mind 



foolishness about this Christmas rot. 

(Walker turns away dejectedly, and goes out left. 
R. rises and paces up and down the office as Walker 
leaves. Seems nervous. At this point several clerks 
hurry in and out tvith statements or messages which they 
leave on R.'s desk or with stenographers. All appear ill 
at ease and leave hastily. R. seats himself again. Enter 
school girl, very timidly. She stands for some moments 
in center, and then edges toward desk. R. finally notices 
her.) 

Richey — More Red Cross stamps, I suppose. 
Girl — Yes, sir. I thought maybe you'd want some. 
Richey — Well, you thought wrong. I haven't time 
for such nonsense. 

(Girl begins to cry and starts to leave. Stenogs. 
motion her to come close while each buys stamps. Girl 
throws kiss at them as she departs.) 

Richey — -(looks at watch) (to stenogs) It's lunch 
time. You may go. Hurry back as soon as possible. You 
know what we're up against today. 

Both — Very well, sir. (They rise, put on wraps and 
exeunt left.) 

Richey — (meditates for some time and walks up and 
down stage. Finally he seats himself at desk. The 
room gradually groivs darker. He is in deep thought. 
Doors or curtains at rear part slowly, revealing tableau 
as indicated.) 

Richey — I wonder if my idea of Christmas is the 
one every business man has. It used to be different with 
me. Even now I can see the youthful face of my moth- 
er as she held me in her lap and told me of Santa Claus 
and his wonderful ride over the housetops with his rein- 
deer team. Yes, and the wonderful stories of the Christ 
Child she used to tell me ! They are fresh in my mind to- 
day, even when a lapse of nearly fifty years has left me 
little else of the Christmas joys of long ago. 



Mr. Rickey Changes His Mind 



(During the foregoing soliloquy Tableau 1 takes 
place. This should show mother with child of three or 
four on her lap. Child looks earnestly into mother's face 
and shows that her story is making a profound impres- 
sion.) 

Richey — After all, what a wonderful thing it is to 
have the unquestioning faith of a little child. With what 
care I used to hang up my stocking on Christmas Eve! I 
was as sure that Santa would come as that morning itself 
would dawn. It is something to have a faith like that, 
after all. I wonder if it is not worth more than all else 
in this sordid, work-a-day world. (Tableau 2 for this part 
should shotv simple chimney piece ivitk child hanging up 
stocking.) 

Richey — And the first present I bought for Esther! 
How I did rack my brain for a week before I spent the 
precious money I had been saving for a long, long time. 
But how my heart danced with joy when I found that 
she really liked it, and loved the giver, too, I felt sure. I 
wonder where she is now, after all these years. She was 
a rare soul, indeed. (Tableau 3 can show girl of high 
school age, looking at some present tvhich young Richey 
has just given her. She should be looking admiringly at 
it while he stands tvatching her.) And how well I re- 
member those boxes mother used to send me while I 
was at college. Christmas surely meant something to 
me then. What wonderful marble cake she could make! 
And the fruit cake that was always included! Bless her 
dear, loving heart. She sleeps beneath the snow this 
wintry day, all her trials and labors over. And how she 
loved her boy, and how I love her mem^ory now, even if 
I wasn't always thoughtful enough to tell her how much 
'' ^oved her in the old days. The dear, dead, golden days. 
(With feeling.) (Tableau U shotvs college boy opening 
Christmas box from, home. This may be handled in a 
variety of ways. Originality among teachers and pupils 
will suggest many presentations of this scene, as indeed 
is. the case in all of the tableaux.) I wish I might erase 
one thought of the long ago from my memory today. How 



Mr. Rickey Changes His Mind 



well do I remember that evening of the long ago, when 
I had purchased that present of all presents for her. 
How sure I was that she would accept it and be- 
come my life-partner. But what caused her to 
take the attitude toward me that she did take, I 
shall never know. Surely she did not dream how 
much I really cared. In any case, she changed my whole 
outlook on life. Christmas has become a hollow sham to 
me. These many years I have choked back my real na- 
ture and have hidden love far from me. I have become 
a misanthrope, a grump, a grouch, hated and feared by 
every employe. {Tableau 5 shoivs Rickey at age of 25, 
witk solitaire in hand, in act of holding it toivard the 
girl of Ms choice. She stands ivith head boived, as if ir^ 
attitude of deep thought and perhap'i of regret.) But it 
is wrong. It is sinful. I should not deny others the 
pleasures of Christmas time. I cannot undo the past, 
and I must not add wrong to wrong by keeping up this 
sort of living. The men are right. The kiddies must be 
looked after. (Dtiring this last statement of the solilo- 
quy, Tableau 6, showing a mimber of little children play- 
ing ivith their toys may be shown.. Their faces should 
be expressive of supreme happiness.) 
Note: — // time for shifting scenes (a very simple mat- 
ter in this case) is needed, Rickey can easily add more to 
his ruminations, and he may find it to his advantage to 
pause several times between remarks in order to gain 
time. The whole thing is very deliberate, and speed 
does not enter into it. Characters in tableaux may use 
their own discretion regarding motions or statuesque 
positions. 

(Enter stenographers, who start to remove wraps.) 

Rickey — I have changed my mind. I shall let you 
oft for the rest of the day, if you choose. 

Miss Pitman — But there is much to do here, yet, 
and — 

Rickey- — That's all right. I have made other plans. 
(Hands each a bill.) Here is a little added Christmas 



Mr, Rickey Changes His Mind 



cheer for you. Merry Christinas to you, and a very hap- 
py New Year. 

Miss Gregg — (very much astonished) Why — why — 
thank you so much, Mr. Richey. 

Miss Pitman — Really, I am unable to understand it. 

Riche7j— That's all right. That's all right. It's 
nothing. Just a little back pay. Merry Christmas! 
Merry Christmas! (He fairly pushes them out of the 
door.) . (The stenographers are heard outside door as 
they shout back, "Merry Christmas!") 

Richey — (taking down receiver of 'phone after 
pressing interphone button) That you, Upp? Come to 
the office at once, please. 

(During the interim Messenger Boy comes in cau- 
tiously and hands Richey a message. Richey smiles 
beamingly at him, and Messenger Boy nearly faints. Boy 
turns to go ivhen R. hands him a piece of money.) 

Richey — Take this for being a first-class messenger 
boy. Go to the show tonight and have a good time. 

Boy — Is it really true? Do I really get off tonight? 

Richey — ^Yes, I have decided to let you off. 

Boy — Whoopee! You're a real sport, after all. By 
gosh ! I didn't think it of you. 

Richey — Keep the change, lad, and a Merrjr Christ- 
mas to you. 

Boy — (as he leaves) Merry Christmas! Merry 
Christmas! (Outside the door, he is heard to say:) 
0, Boy! Me for the Shubert tonight! 

(Richey sits in chair at desk, rubbing his hands to- 
gether in a satisfied way. Upp appears hurriedly from 
left.) 

Upp — Is there som.ething urgent, sir? 

Richey — Only this: I have decided to change shifts 
at six, and your truck drivers may go at that time. 

Upp — Why, sir, I thought — 



10 Mr. Richeij Changes His Mind 

Richey — Yes, I know. But that doesn't matter now. 
Go, at once, and tell them. 

Upp — (eoctending hand to Richey) Put 'er there! 
This does me a world of good, for the men surely deserve 
an early quitting after the week's rush. 

Richey — And see that each driver's check is boosted 
twenty-five per cent, before he gets it, will you ? 

Upp — Do you mean it? 

Richey — Mean it? I certainly do. Now away to 
your men, and a Merry Christmas to all of you. 

Upp — The same to you, sir. We surely appreciate 
the favor. Happy New Year. 

Richey — Happy New Year, Upp ! (After a second or 
two.) Oh, yes, one thing more. 

Upp — (sticking head in at door again) Yes, sir. 

Richey — Tell Walker to come up. 

Upp — I'll do it gladly. (Closes door.) 

Richey — How much better I feel already. This 
Christmas siesta seems to have gone to my head. I have- 
n't felt this way for years. Hope is not all dead yet. 
There is yet time for me to enjoy life and to make others 
happy. 

(Walker comes puffing in.) 

Walker — You wanted me, did you? 

Richey — Yes, Walker, I want to tell you what a crab 
I am. That's no news to you, however. I have treated 
you shamefully. I have behaved myself as befits no gen- 
tleman. 

Walker — Why — why — 

Richey — Only a little while ago I treated you like 
a galley slave, rather than like a trusted employe. I want 
to offer you an abject apology, and to crave your for- 
giveness. 

Walker — The debt is paid, Mr. Richey. I shall think 
no more about it, sir. 



Mr, Rickey Changes His Mind 11 

Rickey- — And after the holidays I intend to raise 
your salary $500 on the year for your close attention to 
business. 

Walker — Really? Is it true? How can I ever thank 
you enough? Now, the wife and youngsters can be 
given a few of the comforts of life. I don't know how 
to tell you how J feel about it. 

Rickey — Then don't try. I feel better over it than 
you do, if anything. Now, tell your help on the first 
floor the good news that we close at 8 :00 sharp, and that 
each is to have a bonus of twenty-five per cent. 

Walker — (witk emotion) Thank you. Thank you 
so much. (Walker leaves, hut re-enters immediately.) 

Walker — There is a lady outside. Slie wants to 
know if you are too busy to see her a moment. 

Rickey — Tell her to come in. Walker. 

(Lady of about forty years, nicely dkd smartly at- 
tired, enters. Rickey rises and is in tke act of offering a 
chair.) 

Visitor — (after a pause) I see you do not recognize 
me. Perhaps it is my veil that makes the difference. 
(Removes veil slowly.) (Rickey stands in center rigkt, 
wonder ivritten on every feature.) 

Rickey — Elizabeth! Can it be possible? (Seems 
too surprised to move.) 

Elizabetk — Yes, Roderick, it is no other. I would 
have known you anywhere, though, for you have the 
same merry twinkle to your eye thL.,t was there in the 
good old days. 

Rickey — (steps over to ker arid, taking both ker 
hands m his, says:) I am stunned. I — I can't realize 
that it is you. But pray do be seated. Here I stand like 
a bump on a log, entirely carried away by your pres- 
ence, just as I always was in "the good old days," as you 
have expressed it. 

Elizabetk — (accepting chair) I see you are the 
same old flatterer you used to be. 



12 Mr. Richey Changes His Mind 

Richey^^Flattererl (Not with surprise, but rather 
reproachfully.) No, Elizabeth, I mean it. (Walks over 
to her chair and places his hand on the hack of it.) And, 
more than that, if I thought I had the right to tell you 
more of what is really in my mind and what has been in 
my mind for nearly twenty-five years, perhaps you would 
not misjudge me. 

Elizabeth — ^You may consider yourself perfectly 
free to express yourself, Roderick. 

Richey — Then you have not married? 

Elizabeth — No. I have led an unhappy existence 
these long years. 

(Messenger Boy bursts into the room entirely un- 
aware of the presence of a visitor.) 

Boy — Oh, Mr. Richey! I was just — (Sees that he 
has made a mistake.) Excuse me, sir. I will see you 
later. 

Richey — Yes, son, a little later. (Knowingly to 
Elizabeth.) I have many things besides business to talk 
about just now. 



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FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 



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ViE 



